Bob Holland
TAMWORTH showcased the young and the old of cricket’s panorama yesterday.
On one hand about120 players were turning out in the NSW Veterans Cricket Championships in Tamworth while the primary school cricketers from Tamworth and South Tamworth public schools turned out in the North West Regional PSSA Final at Scully Park in Tamworth.
While Tamworth proved too strong for South with a five wicket win (see page 23) the vets were playing at four grounds in Tamworth.
They included former test leg-spinner Bob “Dutchy” Holland, who played for Hunter Valley in its third victory of the week.
Holland made an unbeaten 12 and then took 1-25 in his six overs.
He had started his career around a half century ago in Newcastle, playing for his Southern Lakes club as a 13-year- old.
He was playing first grade at 14 but had to wait until he was 38 before he was called into the Australian Test side.
Holland lost his Test debut to the West Indians in Brisbane but played 10 more Tests, including a tour of England.
These days he a keen vets cricketer playing in Golden Oldies tournaments in Canada, Sri Lanka, England and Australia and next month heads to Adelaide for another Golden Oldies Festival.
Today his Hunter Valley side tackles Central Coast in the NSW Veterans Cricket Championship Final at Dick Edwards Oval.
Doug Crowell is the chairman of the Tamworth Veteran Cricketers, who are hosting this second annual carnival and he received an accolade or two yesterday when he and Trevor Perry umpired the regional PSSA Final.
“Yeah Trev has been doing all the South games and Doug all our games,” said Barry Everingham, coach of the Tamworth Public side.
“They come down and do them at every opportunity and both wanted to do this game today despite the vets championship. They both get on great with the kids and do a sensational job for us.”